Marin Snapshot: Novato's Ainsworth keeps county connected, informed

BRENT AINSWORTH of Novato says his new job as Marin County's public information officer has been an eye-opener.

Ainsworth, 49, a former Independent Journal editor who later headed the Novato Patch website, has served in the $81,000-a-year county post for six months.

During his stints at the IJ from 1996 to 2010, Ainsworth worked as an editor on the sports, copy, features and city desks and wrote a column on beer. Prior to that, he served in newsrooms at the Santa Cruz Sentinel and San Jose Mercury News.

He earned a journalism degree at San Jose State University. He and his wife, Edie, a teacher at San Ramon Elementary School in Novato, have two daughters in college.

Q: What's it like being the public information officer for the county of Marin?

A: It's been a great six months so far. It was quite a career change for me. The reception here has been fantastic.

Q: What's the toughest part of the job?

A: Saying "no." We have more than 20 departments here trying to connect with residents and the media about important developments, and I want to say "yes" whenever someone requests help. There is so much good news to shout about.

Q: How has your experience as a journalist helped you in your new role?

A: My role is about working with our staff to get the good word out to Marin residents through website updates, releases and media relations. The public wants better communication from us, and we're making big progress. I think it's a crucial role and a fantastic challenge.

Q: What's the most surprising thing you have learned about county government?

A: I love supporting special events in Novato. Among my favorites are the Novato Fourth of July Parade, the Novato Festival, the Paint the Town Red annual gala, the Novato Theater renovation efforts, Nostalgia Days, Marin Summer Theater and the Leadership Novato program ... I get to play roadie and bouncer at the Novato Festival main stage every June. That's a kick.

Q: What do you do for fun?

A: I am supervising the restoration of my 1955 Volkswagen Beetle, which is my midlife crisis on wheels ... I'm a huge sports fan since reporting sports was my job for 17 years. I'm an aficionado of artisanal craft ales, so you can call me a beer geek.